Energy
Designing homes to conserve energy and use it efficiently, from sources that cause least environmental harm.
Standby mode
Many appliances have a standby mode during which time they are not providing useful output but still consume energy. Some appliances use standby power to light an LED display while some are waiting for remote control signals to tell them to start operating, or are sending and/or receiving signals to other appliances such as home automation systems.
Standby power can be saved by turning appliances off at the wall if they are not being used.
According to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) figures, it is estimated that standby power accounts for 5% of total household energy use, or $100 million per year.
| Appliance | Standby power consumption – watts (W) |
| Computer | 2 |
| Dishwasher | 3 |
| DVD player | 3 |
| Microwave oven | 3 |
| Garage door opener | 3 |
| Television | 5 |
| Printer | 5 |
| VCR | 6 |
| Security system | 14 |